I’ve put together a list of 15 top cafes and coffee shops in Bath. After spending a month housesitting in this historic Roman town, which is one of the best places to visit in England, I’ve come to know many Bath cafes well. The cafe culture here reminds me of some of my favorite European cities.
Bath is an international tourist hotspot with a rich history dating back to Roman times when baths were built around natural hot springs believed to have healing properties. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city is filled with stunning and unique architecture. It’s also home to Bath Spa University and the University of Bath, giving it a vibrant, year-round culture with lots of things to do. The River Avon, running along the city’s edge, adds beauty to the cityscape and attracts boaters, paddle boarders, walkers, and hikers.
Listed cafes in Bath were chosen based on several factors, including coffee quality, ambiance, and historical significance. Whether you’re in town for a week or just the weekend, looking for a great cafe to work from, a historic tea room, unique coffee concoctions, or just the best coffee shops in Bath, this list has you covered.
1. The Green Bird Cafe
Located between the Royal Crescent and The Circus, the Green Bird Cafe is a charming spot to recharge after sightseeing. Its quaint courtyard is perfect for coffee, and the outdoor seating offers lovely views of Bath streets. The breakfast here is fantastic, especially the French toast with maple syrup and bacon. Despite being busy, the friendly staff handles the crowd well.
Address: 11 Margaret’s Buildings, Bath BA1 2LP
Phone: +441225487846
Hours: 9 am – 4 pm (Mon-Fri), 9 am – 5 pm (Sat)
Must-Try: French Toast with maple syrup and bacon
Cost: $4-$5 (coffee), $6-10 (breakfast), $8-$14 (lunch)
2. The Columbian Company
Located on Widcombe Parade, this small but excellent cafe offers delicious Columbian coffee in a cozy setting. It also hosts a market selling Columbian coffees, teas, cookies, and chocolates. Try their strongest Columbian coffee and the pesto and mozzarella sandwich.
Address: 9A Widcombe Parade, Bath BA2 4LD
Phone: +44 7534 391992
Hours: 7 am – 3.30 pm (Mon-Fri), 8 pm – 3 pm (Sat), 9 pm – 3 pm (Sun)
Must-Try: Strongest Columbian coffee, pesto and mozzarella sandwich
Cost: $3-$4 (coffee), $5-$8 (sandwiches and snacks), $3-$5 (cakes)
3. Cafe au Lait
Steps from the Bath Spa train station, Cafe au Lait is convenient for both arrivals and departures. Despite its small size, it offers a lively atmosphere and excellent service. They serve fresh pastries and a fantastic all-day brunch menu. The full English breakfast and bottomless brunches are must-tries.
Address: 12-14 Dorchester St, Bath BA1 1SS
Phone: +441225571808
Hours: 8.30 am-5 pm (daily)
Must-Try: Full English breakfast, Mashed Avo Loaded Fries
Cost: $3.50-$5.50 (drinks), $10-$15 (brunch items)
4. Forum Coffee House
Part of the iconic Forum venue, this cafe serves espressos made from Bristol-based Clifton Coffees’ E1 batch. The staff is knowledgeable about coffee, and there’s often a rotating menu of guest roasts.
Address: 1A, Forum Buildings, St James’s Parade, Bath BA1 1UG
Hours: 8 am – 5 pm (Mon-Fri), 9 am – 4 pm (Sat), 9.30 am – 3 pm (Sun)
Must-Try: House Clifton Coffee E1 Project espresso
Cost: $3-$4.50 (coffees), $4-$8 (bagels and wraps)
5. Lulu Coffee
A family-run corner cafe with a retro exterior but excellent coffee and food. They offer loose-leaf teas, turmeric lattes, Spanish lattes, and Turkish coffee. The outdoor seating is great for sunny days.
Address: 1 Hot Bath St, Bath BA1 1SJ
Phone: +441225 920560
Hours: 8 am – 6 pm (Mon-Sat), 9 am – 5 pm (Sun)
Must-Try: Turkish Coffee, Spanish latte
Cost: $3.50-$5 (drinks), $7-$14 (breakfast), $3.50-$5 (desserts)
6. Mad Hatter’s Tea Party
A unique English tea room decorated in Alice in Wonderland theme. They offer teas, amazing cakes, and a special ‘Cream Tea’. It’s located near Pulteney Bridge and Bath Abbey.
Address: 5 Orange Grove, Bath BA1 1LP
Phone: +441225571314
Hours: 10 am – 6 pm (Mon-Sat), 11 am – 5 pm (Sun)
Must-Try: Cream Tea
Cost: $3-$4 (drinks), $5-$10 (sandwiches)
7. Bridge Coffee Shop
Situated atop Pulteney Bridge, this cafe offers views over the River Avon and the Pulteney Weir. It provides a range of reasonably priced baguettes, cakes, pastries, and a full English breakfast.
Address: 16 Pulteney Bridge, Bath BA2 4AY
Phone: +441225483339
Hours: 8.30 am – 5.30 pm (Mon-Fri), 9 am – 6 pm (Sat), 9.30 pm – 5.30 pm (Sun)
Must-Try: Long coffee with a view
Cost: $3-$4 (teas and coffees), $6-$8 (baguettes), $4-$10 (breakfast options)
8. Cafe W
Located inside Waterstones, Cafe W offers a peaceful atmosphere for working or reading. It has plenty of tables, comfy sofas, power sockets, good WiFi, and consistently great coffee.
Address: 4-5 Milsom St, Bath BA1 1DA
Hours: 9 am – 6 pm (Mon-Sat), 11 am – 5 pm (Sun)
Must-Try: Window seat with a coffee
Cost: $3-$4.50 (drinks), $5-$10 (snacks)
9. The Courtyard Cafe
A dog-friendly cafe with a charming courtyard near Bath Abbey and the Roman Baths. The outdoor area is well-covered, making it a great spot regardless of weather.
Address: 3 Lilliput Court, Bath BA1 1ND
Hours: 10 am – 5 pm (Sun-Fri), 9 am – 5 pm (Sat)
Must-Try: Unique ciabattas or paninis
Cost: $3.50-$5 (coffees), $6-$15 (breakfast dishes)
10. Colonna & Smalls
Known for its specialty coffee and minimalist decor, Colonna & Smalls offers a rotating menu of 3 different espresso and 3 different filter coffees from around the world.
Address: 6 Chapel Row, Bath BA1 1HT
Phone: +447766808067
Hours: 8.30 am – 5 pm (Mon-Fri), 9 am – 5.30 (Sat), 10 am – 4 pm (Sun)
Must-Try: Specialty coffees
Cost: $4-$5 (coffees), $6-$12 (specialty coffee), $2-$3 (cookies)
11. Kekolo Coffee
This two-story cafe offers indulgent drinks and baked goods, including extravagant hot chocolates and freshly made items like caramel waffle milkshakes.
Address: 3 New Bond St, Bath BA1 1BL
Hours: 8.30 am – 5 pm (Mon-Fri), 9.30 am – 5.30 pm (Sat), 9 am – 5 pm (Sun)
Must-Try: Daily baked goods, salted caramel hot chocolate
Cost: $4-$5 (drinks), $7-$8 (hot chocolates), $6-$7 (milkshakes)
12. Mokoko Coffee
This sleek coffee shop doubles as a bakery, with all items baked onsite daily. Located near Bath Abbey and the Roman Baths, it offers a bustling atmosphere.
Address: 6 Abbey Churchyard, Bath BA1 1LY
Phone: +441225758132
Hours: 9 am – 5 pm (Sun-Fri), 9 am – 6 pm (Sat)
Must-Try: Pan au chocolate with a coffee
Cost: $3.50-$4.50 (drinks), $6-$10 (sandwiches), $3-$6 (baked goods)
13. The Mole Hill
A rustic horse box serving coffee to hikers on the Bath Skyline Walk, The Mole Hill offers a unique, outdoor coffee experience with hay bale seating.
Address: Near Rainbow Wood Farm, Bath Skyline Walk.
Phone: +441225 466366
Hours: 10 am – 4 pm (Sat, Sun, public holidays)
Must-Try: Coffee while on a hike
Cost: $3.50-$4 (drinks), $2-$3 (snacks)
14. Sally Lunn’s
A historic tea room known for being one of the oldest houses in Bath and the birthplace of the Bath Bun. The decor is vintage, and drinks and dishes are served on fine china.
Address: 4 N Parade Passage, Bath BA1 1NX
Phone: +441225461634
Hours: 10 am – 9 pm (daily)
Must-Try: Bath Bun with strawberry jam
Cost: $4-$5 (drinks), $6-$7 (Bath Buns), $12-$20 (meals)
15. J. D. Wetherspoon – The King of Wessex
Though more of a pub chain, Wetherspoon offers good coffee at the cheapest prices with free unlimited refills. It’s a great place for breakfast, coffee, and free WiFi.
Address: 5-10 James St W, Bath BA1 2BX
Phone: +441225303380
Hours: 8 am – 12 am (daily)
Must-Try: Coffee with free refills, breakfast dishes
Cost: $2 (drinks), $4-$8 (breakfast)
Bath boasts a robust cafe culture with a variety of options catering to different tastes—from specialty coffee to traditional English tea rooms. With a high number of daily visitors, a lively local community, and two universities, the cafe competition in Bath ensures high-quality offerings. Whether you want a quiet nook to read a book, a lively spot to relax after sightseeing, or a specialty coffee experience, Bath has something for everyone.
